Otto Bock launches bionic prosthetic system in the UK

Otto Bock Healthcare is launching in the UK a new generation of intelligent, microprocessor-controlled leg prostheses.

The Genium system delivers far greater precision and response enabling a wider range of movements for the user. The Genium will redefine quality of life and mobility for amputees, providing the closest walking pattern to a natural gait of any prosthetic limb available today.

A key technological advancement of Genium includes its Intuitive Stance Function that differentiates between when a user is standing still and walking. This enables the user to achieve natural weight distribution and stand on flat, uneven or inclined surfaces. Further advances also mean Genium users will be able to ascend stairs more naturally through step-over-step movement plus the ability to overcome obstacles more smoothly by stepping over them. Ten modes for special movement patterns such as sporting activities are also included, together with programming capabilities via an integrated Bluetooth interface.

Development of the ground-breaking prosthetic system follows extensive research efforts by Otto Bock's R and D team, together with nearly 15 years of practical experience with the current market leading prosthesis, Otto Bock's C-Leg system. A further key technological advancement in Genium is the Optimised Physiological Gait (OPG). In addition to alleviating strain on the entire locomotion system of the user, thus preventing subsequent orthopaedic problems, OPG also allows for a gait that is incredibly close to a natural physiological one.

Philip Yates, Managing Director of Otto Bock Healthcare in the UK, said: "In developing new prosthetic systems, Otto Bock strives to reduce the differences between the body's natural abilities and artificial replacements. The Genium represents our latest work decoding the complexity of human gait in ever greater detail and incorporating our insights into a functional, stable, everyday prosthetic system that will redefine quality of life and everyday mobility for amputees."

Genium has been developed with battery technology in mind, allowing users a run time of up to five days. This convenience is further enhanced with the device's inductive charging functionality, which removes the requirement for open charging ports. In addition, Genium allows for Computer Aided Alignment through X-Soft adjustment software, which calculates and visualises the forces acting on the prosthesis, offering recommendations for the custom positioning of its components. Such a tailored approach is yet another example of the ground-breaking innovation for the future of lower limb prosthetics.

Property developer Matthew Newbury, now 30, said: "The new Genium has completely changed the way I live my life and has provided me with the confidence to attempt things that I had thought were beyond me. With previous prosthetics, I was constantly aware and cautious of their limitations - you need to think about every step. With Genium, it does all the thinking for me. I can now easily climb the scaffolding on my housing projects and am able to walk, ride and navigate life without a second thought. It's easy to use, comfortable and I look forward to a future where anything is possible."